BREAKING: Former Vice President Kamala Harris has just revealed in her upcoming memoir, 107 Days, that her top choice for a running mate in the 2024 presidential election was not the individual she ultimately selected. In a shocking admission, Harris expressed that she initially wanted Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, but ultimately feared the political ramifications of pairing a Black woman with a gay man on the ticket.
In excerpts obtained by The Atlantic reporter Jonathan Lemire, Harris discusses the pressures of a diverse candidacy. She stated, “We were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man. Part of me wanted to say, screw it, let’s just do it. But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk.” This revelation raises questions about the challenges faced by candidates in a rapidly evolving political landscape.
Harris ultimately chose Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, over Buttigieg and other contenders like Josh Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania. At the time of her selection, Walz was relatively unknown outside the Midwest, but he gained significant attention through media appearances and by positioning himself against former President Donald Trump and his party. Harris did not clarify whether Walz was aware that he was not her first choice.
In her memoir, Harris emphasizes Buttigieg’s qualifications, calling him an “ideal partner” if she were a “straight white man.” She praised his ability to articulate liberal viewpoints in ways that resonated with conservative audiences. “He was top of my initial eight-person shortlist for running mate,” she noted, highlighting his political prowess and age advantage at just 42 years old, suggesting that selecting him could signify a generational shift away from the then-81-year-old Joe Biden.
Despite Harris’s admiration, Buttigieg ultimately did not make it to her final shortlist, as reported by Lemire. Harris’s team did not discuss the reasoning behind this decision with Buttigieg, leaving many speculating about the dynamics behind closed doors.
Harris also criticizes Biden’s choice to run for a second term, sharing her thoughts on the implications of such decisions in her memoir. She underscores the high stakes involved, stating, “This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition. It should have been more than a personal decision.”
The political ramifications of her candidacy strategies may have lasting impacts on the Democratic Party’s future. As Harris gears up for her run, many will be watching closely to see how these revelations affect her campaign.
This story is developing, and The Daily Beast has reached out to the offices of Harris, Walz, and Buttigieg for comments. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds.
